A20764:152
A20764:152
The plea of the poor. Or A treatise of beneficence and alms-deeds teaching how these Christian duties are rightly to be performed, and persuading to the frequent doing of them. Necessary for these times, wherein the works of mercy are so much neglected, or so undiscreetly practiced. Published by John Downame Bachelor in Divinity.The plea of the poore. Or A treatise of benificence and almes-deeds teaching how these Christian duties are rightly to be performed, and perswading to the frequent doing of them. Necessary for these times, wherein the workes of mercy are so much neglected, or so vndiscreetly practized. Published by Iohn Downame Bachelour in Diuinitie.
London: printed by Edward Griffin for Ralph Mabbe, 1616
Modern spelling is a reading aid: the words are the author’s, only the spelling is modernized. Original shows the page as printed, with the transcription marks.
Fourthly, it would be a notable means to make us more compassionate, when as we should see their small provision, hungry fare, thin clothes, and hard lodging: the children crying for hunger, and the parents out crying them because they have no food to give them; some lying in straw for want of beds, others drinking water in stead of drink, and a third sort near starved ⟨p. 57⟩with hunger for want of bread, or escaping that, quaking and shivering with cold for lack of fire. Which miseries of the poor if they move a christian hart to hear of them, how much more would it stir them up to compassion if they saw them, for things seen more feelingly affect us, then those which we conceive by report of others. And this is one cause why the wise man saith, that it is better to 1go into the house of mourning, then into the house of feasting, because it will work upon our affections, and make us lay the afflictions of others to heart, partaking with them in their sorrows by a sympathy and fellow feeling: and this compassion working upon our hearts, will not let our hands be idle, but will enlarge their bounty and make them more readily and liberally to contribute towards the relief of the poor's necessities.
Fourthly, it would be a notable means to make vs more compassionate, when as we should see their small prouision, hungrie fare, thinne cloathes, and hard lodging: the children crying for hunger, and the parents out crying them because they haue no foode to giue them; some lying in straw for want of beddes, others drinking water in stead of drinke, and a third sort neere starued ⟨p. 57⟩with hunger for want of bread, or escaping that, quaking and shiuering with cold for lacke of fire. Which miseries of the poore if they moue a christiā hart to heare of thē, how much more would it stir thē vp to cōpassiō if they saw thē, for things seene more feelingly affect vs, then those which we conceiue by report of others. And this is one cause why the wise man saith, that it is better to 1goe into the house of mourning, then into the house of feasting, because it will worke vpon our affections, and make vs lay the afflictions of others to heart, partaking with them in their sorrowes by a sympathy and fellow feeling: and this compassion working vpon our hearts, will not let our hands be idle, but will inlarge their bountie and make them more readily and liberally to contribute towards the reliefe of the poores necessities.
Fifthly, if we visit the poor, we may do them double and treble good by joining spiritual and corporal alms both together, instructing the ignorant, reprehending the faulty, admonishing them who err through infirmity, counselling them that want counsel, and especially refreshing their hearts with sweet consolations in these their wants and afflictions; to which purpose we our selves have been comforted by God in our crosses, according to that. 2. Cor. 1. 4. Blessed be God, who comforteth us in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort them 1which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we our selves are comforted of God. The which means of their spiritual good will at these times be most ⟨p. 58⟩effectual, when as by our alms we testify our love; and then shall our good words find most easy entrance into their hearts, when as our good works have prepared the way.
Fifthly, if we visite the poore, wee may doe them double and treble good by ioyning spirituall and corporall almes both together, instructing the ignorant, reprehending the faulty, admonishing them who erre through infirmity, counsailing them that want counsaile, and especially refreshing their hearts with sweete consolations in these their wants and afflictions; to which purpose we our selues haue beene comforted by God in our crosses, according to that. 2. Cor. 1. 4. Blessed be God, who comforteth vs in all our tribulations, that we may be able to comfort them 1which are in any trouble, by the comfort wherewith we our selues are comforted of God. The which meanes of their spirituall good will at these times be most ⟨p. 58⟩effectuall, when as by our almes we testifie our loue; and then shall our good words finde most easie entrance into their hearts, when as our good workes haue prepared the way.
But this duty is so much out of use among the rich & wealthy, through the pride, niceness, and uncharitableness of these times, that there will haply seem to be in it some absurdity, unless it be pressed with stronger arguments then those which arise from neighbourly love. And therefore if their benefit will not move us to put it in practise, yet at least let love of our selves prevail. For by seeing the wants and miseries of our brethren, we in our own particular may receive much good. For we shall have hereby just occasion offered of bursting forth into Gods praises, who hath dealt so bountifully with us, giving us not only plenty of his blessings for our own use which others want, but also making us helpful unto our brethren. For those who abound will never be so thankful unto God for his benefits as they ought, unless they have learned their worth out of the experience of their own and others wants.
But this dutie is so much out of vse among the rich & wealthy, through the pride, nicenesse, and vncharitablenesse of these times, that there will haply seeme to be in it some absurditie, vnlesse it be pressed with stronger arguments then those which arise from neighbourly loue. And therefore if their benefit will not moue vs to put it in practise, yet at least let loue of our selues preuaile. For by seeing the wants and miseries of our brethren, we in our owne particular may receiue much good. For we shall haue hereby iust occasiō offered of bursting forth into Gods praises, who hath dealt so boūtifully with vs, giuing vs not only plenty of his blessings for our owne vse which others want, but also making vs helpfull vnto our brethren. For those who abound will neuer bee so thankefull vnto God for his benefits as they ought, vnlesse they haue learned their worth out of the experience of their owne and others wants.
Again, by looking upon these sad spectacles of misery and penury, we may learn temperance and sobriety in the use of Gods blessings, and not to abuse them unto superfluity and excess, seeing many as good as our selves in Gods true estimate do want necessaries; but to husband them in a frugal manner, that out of our abundance we may more liberally communicate ⟨p. 59⟩to our neighbours wants: least abusing Gods gifts he take away, and bind us to temperance by the iron chain of extreme necessity, when we would not be held by the gentle bond of virtue and obedience. Finally, we have by these fights just occasion given to prepare our selves against the day of affliction, penury and distress, when as we see them who are clothed with the same flesh subject to them, between whom and us there is no difference, but that which hath been made by Gods free grace and undeserved mercy.
Againe, by looking vpon these sad spectacles of miserie and penurie, wee may learne temperance and sobrietie in the vse of Gods blessings, and not to abuse them vnto superfluitie and excesse, seeing many as good as our selues in Gods true estimate doe want necessaries; but to husband them in a frugall manner, that out of our abundance we may more liberally communicate ⟨p. 59⟩to our neighbours wants: least abusing Gods gifts he take away, and binde vs to temperance by the iron chaine of extreame necessitie, when we would not be held by the gentle bond of vertue and obedience. Finally, wee haue by these fights iust occasion giuen to prepare our selues against the day of affliction, penurie and distresse, when as we see them who are cloathed with the same flesh subiect to them, betweene whom and vs there is no difference, but that which hath beene made by Gods free grace and vndeserued mercie.
And therefore let not pride of greatness▪ deprive our souls of so much goodness; but when comparing the highness of our estate with the lowness of this Christian duty, we are made loath to endure it, let us remember that Christ hath done the like for us; and we in token of our love and thankfulness, do it again to our Saviour Christ. For being in the bosom of the father in all glory and happiness, this light from on high visited us, and abasing himself unto the low degree of a servant, he hath by giving his precious blood as the price of our redemption, not only visited but redeemed us his people, according to Zachariah's song. Luk. 1. 68. 78. Yea he came among 1us, and not only saw, but also took upon him our infirmities, and participated with us in our afflictions the more to enlarge his mercy and compassion, when he was touched with the feeling of our griefs, as it is Heb. 2. 17. 4. 15. Now 2what doth he require for this unspeakable love ⟨p. 60⟩and kind visitation, but love for love, and that we visit him as he hath visited us, not in his own person, for he is glorious in the highest heavens, and our goodness extendeth not unto him; but in his 3poor Saints and brethren who are the members of his body; unto whom whatsoever we do, he accounteth as done unto himself. Math. 25. 40. 4And therefore though we be never so rich and honourable, let us not disdain to visit the poor 5seeing in them we visit Christ, who abased himself much more for our sakes, visiting us when we were loathsomely defiled in our blood, and not only sick but stark dead, and like Lazarus in the grave stinking in the putrefaction of our sins, the vassals of Satan, the children of wrath, and very firebrands of hell. So that there is no poor so base and loathsome as we were; nor no worldly potentate so rich and glorious as our Saviour Christ, who was God, equal to his father. And therefore seeing he thus abased himself for our sakes, let us for his, a little stoop and humble our selves to perform all good offices to his poorest Saints; otherwise let us be assured that if we be ashamed of him who hath advanced us, he will be ashamed of us; if we scorn and disdain him in his poorest members, he will disdain and contemn us at the day of his appearing.
AND thus have we seen the fountain from which our alms should spring; let us consider also in a word the main ends where to they tend, which are the glory of God, our own and our neighbours good. The principal end at which we must aim is Gods glory; which as it is to be the chief motive of all Christian duties, according to that, Matth. 5. 16. Let your light so 1shine before men, that they seeing your good works, may glorify your father which is in heaven: so especially of these works of mercy. Which motive the Apostle useth to stir the Corinthians unto a liberal contribution, not only that hereby the 2wants of the Saints might be supplied, but chiefly that God might be glorified by this bountiful distribution. For as the Lord and master of the family is much honoured, in his wise and gracious government, when as the steward obeying his commandment, giveth every one of his fellow-servants his allowance and portion in due season; so is our great Lord glorified in the Church, when as the richer sort yielding subjection unto the Gospel of Christ, do like faithful stewards, thus employ Gods wealth & riches committed unto their dispensation, to the relief of those in the family that stand in need.
AND thus haue wee seene the fountaine from which our almes should spring; let vs consider also in a word the maine ends where to they tend, which are the glory of God, our owne and our neighbours good. The principall end at which we must aime is Gods glorie; which as it is to be the chiefe motiue of all Christian duties, according to that, Matth. 5. 16. Let your light so 1shine before men, that they seeing your good workes, may glorifie your father which is in heauen: so especially of these workes of mercy. Which motiue the Apostle vseth to stirre the Corinthians vnto a liberall contribution, not onely that heereby the 2wants of the Saints might be supplied, but cheifly that God might bee glorified by this bountifull distribution. For as the Lord and master of the family is much honoured, in his wise and gracious gouernment, when as the steward obeying his commandement, giueth euerie one of his fellow-seruants his allowance and portion in due season; so is our great Lord glorified in the Church, when as the richer sort yeelding subiection vnto the Gospell of Christ, doe like faithfull stewards, thus imploy Gods wealth & riches committed vnto their dispeniation, to the releefe of those in the family that stand in neede.
And therefore let not pride of greatnesse▪ depriue our soules of so much goodnesse; but when comparing the highnesse of our estate with the lownesse of this Christian duetie, wee are made loath to endure it, let vs remember that Christ hath done the like for vs; and we in token of our loue and thankefulnesse, doe it againe to our Sauiour Christ. For being in the bosome of the father in all glory and happinesse, this light from on high visited vs, and abasing himselfe vnto the low degree of a seruant, he hath by giuing his precious blood as the price of our redemption, not onely visited but redeemed vs his people, according to Zachariahs song. Luk. 1. 68. 78. Yea he came among 1vs, and not onely saw, but also tooke vpon him our infirmities, and participated with vs in our afflictions the more to inlarge his mercie and compassion, when he was touched with the feeling of our griefes, as it is Heb. 2. 17. 4. 15. Now 2what doth he require for this vnspeakeable loue ⟨p. 60⟩and kinde visitation, but loue for loue, and that we visite him as he hath visited vs, not in his own person, for he is glorious in the highest heauens, and our goodnesse extendeth not vnto him; but in his 3poore Saints and brethren who are the members of his body; vnto whom whatsoeuer we doe, he accounteth as done vnto himselfe. Math. 25. 40. 4And therefore though wee be neuer so rich and honourable, let vs not disdaine to visite the poore 5seeing in them we visite Christ, who abased himselfe much more for our sakes, visiting vs when we were loathsomely defiled in our blood, and not onely sicke but starke dead, and like Lazarus in the graue stincking in the putrefaction of our sinnes, the vassailes of Sathan, the children of wrath, and very firebrands of hell. So that there is no poore so base and loathsome as we were; nor no worldly potentate so rich and glorious as our Sauiour Christ, who was God, equall to his father. And therefore seeing hee thus abased himselfe for our sakes, let vs for his, a little stoope and humble our selues to performe all good offices to his poorest Saints; otherwise let vs be assured that if we be ashamed of him who hath aduanced vs, he will be ashamed of vs; if wee scorne and disdaine him in his poorest members, he will disdaine and contemne vs at the day of his appearing.